Rags for Riches: New World Champ

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Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | admin | Poker Tournament

New World Champ

If you’re like me, or say, millions of other people across the globe that live and breathe poker, than you probably hold a subscription to a poker ‘rag’: a magazine or publication built around us – poker players. Hidden beneath the covers of these rags are stimulating interviews, intriguing concepts and news that – along with a good time, can bring a little perspective to a world of 52 cards… and some riches to boot!

Here’s what you should know this week -

After months of nail biting anticipation, the World Series of Poker resumed with this years Main Event final table on Sunday and a new champion was born the following day. Breaking records this year proved to be no challenge! After 15 hours of play (a new record long time), 22 year old Peter Eastgate was named the winner, becoming the youngest Main Event Champion in WSOP history – dethroning Phil Hellmuth who was 24 at the time of his win in 1989.

Eastgate, hailing from Odense, Denmark, had one previous final table finish at the 2007 Irish Poker Open and noteable showings in the European Poker Tour, Copenhagen and the ’07 Paddy Power Irish Open. His latest accomplishment of taking home a championship bracelet and $9,152,416 US will probably dominate his resume from now on now though.

Peter Eastgates winning hand: A♦ 5♠ in the pocket; A♦ 2♦ 3♥ 4♣ 5♠ wheel straight win.

Oponent Ivan Demidov, holding 4h-2h, limped along with Eastgate preflop and checked to Eastgate on the flop (Ks-3h-2d). Eastgate came out firing and Demidov called. Demidov then check-raised the turn 4c which made him two pair, but Eastgate just simply called with the straight. At the river, 7s Demidov pushed all-in an Eastgate promptly showed the winning hand to take it down.

More Highlights:

- Erick Lindgren was the recipient of the 2008 Play of the Year Award. (Won a bracelet for $5,000 Mixed Hold’em/Made 3 final tables.)

- Nikolay Evdakov made a record 10 money finishes.

- Tiffany Michelle, from PokerNews.com was the last woman standing in the main event; 17th place finish.

- Celebrities turned out and left early: Jason Alexander, Nick Cannon, Jose Canseco, Mekhi Phifer and even Jennifer Tilly all busted out on day one.

- Reversing the tide, participants were up this year after a sligh decline at the 2007 WSOP. Toal entrants this year: 6,844.

- No tears for Phil Helmuth, he may have lost his youngest main event winner title, but he did also manage to pick up a record for 41 career final tables.

Wishing you all Big Flops and Bigger Pots!

Check out more from Delik James at:

Gamblers Chronicles

Quad Seven Poker

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